By Andrew Scharff

Although the Pride’s season is not going the way they would want it to go, there are many bright spots. Michael Todd keeps scoring goals and is inching closer to the all-time goals scored record which is 50 currently held by Stuart Duffin, Gary Flood and Corey Gudmundson have played every minute this season and played every minute well, earning their all-CAA honors. But the brightest spot on the Pride could be freshmen defenders Richie Martinez and Jamal Neptune.

“We knew got two great recruits but we weren’t quite sure where they were going to play,” Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall said.

The Pride knew they had openings in the right and left back positions because Billy Chung and Jason Gates who previously held those positions graduated. The Pride could have easily given those spots to players who have been on the roster in previous years such Arnel Andrada or Charalambos Rossides. But Nuttall and his staff have given the chance for them to shine as freshman and that is exactly what they are doing.

“They have both done very well, though not knowing what to expect,” assistant coach Brian Suskiewicz said.

Neptune and Martinez give the Pride something they haven’t had in four years. That is two defensive players who think offensively and who look to push up on the play every chance they get. Chung and Gates were as sound defensively as anyone in the conference and looked to think defensively, which is the totally opposite way the two freshman play.

“Jason and Billy were ultra dependable defensively and not as great offensively. Jamal and Richie are better going up and not as quite strong defensively,” Nuttall said.

They both proved their offensive worth early in the season in a win against Stony Brook, as both players collected their first collegiate points. Martinez scored the game-winner and Neptune assisted on the game-tying goal.

Along with the offensive ability, both players have great speed, athletic ability and most importantly confidence. When the both Neptune and Martinez go up with the play, they are able to use their speed to get back and cover their men.

“We’re trying to persevere with Richie and Jamal. We know they are going to need experience. The only way you learn is through experience,” Nuttall said.

Hopefully for the Pride, Neptune and Martinez are just showing a sign of things to come in the future.